Ten Chattanooga Police Department officers who were recently reassigned to "non-enforcement duties" and who are not allowed to testify in court were not demoted, Police Chief Celeste Murphy said this week.
Murphy issued a statement Thursday to clear up questions about the officers' reassignments in the wake of a request by the U.S. Attorney's Office for a list of names of officers who had been untruthful or misrepresented information in the past.
The department provided the list of 10 officers to federal and state prosecutors. Because the officers' ability to testify in court was in question, Murphy removed them from enforcement responsibilities.
"These officers have not been terminated or demoted," Murphy said in a news release from department spokesperson, Assistant Chief Jerri Sutton.
"The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) does not make personnel decisions for the department," Murphy said in the statement. "No one outside the department makes personnel decisions for the department."
The Fraternal Order of Police was quick to respond to Wednesday's announcement of Murphy's decision.
"The Fraternal Order of Police stands by these officers who have been unjustly relieved of duty," officials said in a release.
In 1963 U.S. Supreme Court case, Brady, v. Maryland, it was established that a prosecutor is required to disclose to the defense if a police officer involved in the case had lied or committed acts that could undermine their credibility during the investigative process of the case or their testimony in court. Documents knows as "Brady letters" are issued to these officers after an investigation is conducted.
Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston said Thursday via a spokesman that the development "could possibly impact current or past criminal cases."
Contact La Shawn Pagán at lpagan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow her on Twitter @LaShawnPagan.